Our First Home

On September 21, we signed the papers to our first house. Throughout the summer we watched the house being built and stopped by almost weekly to check on the progress. We did the final walkthrough and then went over to the office to sign all the paperwork. We weren't able to move until the weekend, because of Nate's work schedule, but on September 25 with the help of friends we were able to move into our house.

Not quite completed in the picture, but oh so close!

Seaside Cross Country Meet

In September we headed south to Seaside, OR for Sarah and Veronica's cross-country meet. V wasn't running because of an injury, but we were able to see Sarah run. I ran at the same meet when I was in high school, so it was fun to be back and see one of my sisters running in it. Nolan had a great time, there was a lot of open spaces for him to run as well! The drive was a bit long, as I was experiencing a lot of morning (all day) sickness at the time, but it was well worth it!

Go Sarah!

Silly faces after the race

Shopping & OMSI

Towards the end of August we met my mom and the girls in Portland for a little back to school shopping. After spending a couple of hours at the mall we headed over to OMSI, which is a hands-on interactive science museum. Nolan had a great time with his Aunts! It is so nice being able to drive a couple of hours and meet up with them, definitely one of the advantages of our big move North!

Hanging out in the car with Jenny

Nolan asleep during the first part of OMSI

What a cute family!

Sarah kissing Einstein

My husband with his forest friends

The big move & a trip to Bend

On June 9th we left California for Washington. Nolan and I were in one car, Nate drove the HUGE truck and my dad drove our other car. We made it to Redding, CA the first night and the following night we arrived in Gig Harbor, WA. It was quite the journey! Once we moved in and settled into our new apartment (I took zero pictures during this time...we were a little busy!) Nolan and I headed to Bend, OR to meet up with my mom and sisters.

This is Sarah. She dresses like this often. Awesome!

Nate was able to come down for the weekend (well 36 hours) but we made the most of it!

The girls attacked him!

Nolan loved the dishwasher

We went to an indoor bounce house place and Nolan had a great time! We will have to go back next time!

Friends

The Mommy & Me class that I was a part of in Manhattan Beach was one of the biggest blessings during Nolan's first year. It gave him ample opportunity to be around other kids and gave me a chance to talk to other mommas going through the same things I was. One of the hardest parts about moving was knowing that Nolan and I wouldn't be around that group any longer. Here are some pictures of Nolan hanging out with his buds during his last few weeks in California.

Daddy & Nolan

You have no idea how happy this makes Nate!

Center of attention??

At a friend's birthday party they had a singer come and perform for the kids. She brought all sorts of instruments and toys. One of them was a big drum that the kids loved hitting and banging. Except Nolan, he loved sitting on top of it!